Second World

Chapter 1520 Chapter 1520. An Issue Troubling the League Factions

That equipment was his Amulet of Summoning. The amulet gave him the ability to summon an eternal grade helper, albeit by sacrificing mana cores. That ability was priceless. He didnʼt want to throw that ability away.

If he could transform that amulet into a legendary grade, then that would have been for the best. Without further ado, he activated the Upgrade Cell: Equipment and had it interfaced with his Amulet of Summoning.

After a brief process, he received a notification that his amulet had been upgraded.

*

Superior Amulet of Summoning (Legendary necklace).

All elemental resistances +40.

All status effect resistances +20%.

Extends the duration of all other summoned creatures to twice their original duration.

Calming wave (Active effect): All monsters of rare elite grade and below, and a maximum of ten levels above the user, will not turn hostile, Duration: 10 minutes, Cooldown: 6 hours.

Summon archdemon lord (Eternal monster), Cost: 50,000 mana cores, Duration: 3 hours, Cooldown: 6 hours

*

The elemental resistances and status effect resistances were doubled from their previous stats. Its two original abilities, the calming wave and the summoning ability had their durations extended. Previously, the calming waveʼs duration was five minutes. The summoning ability was one hour.

The summoning abilityʼs duration was extended three times the original. Jack was very happy with this upgrade. If the archdemon lord could stay that long during a war, it would have more influence on the warʼs outcome.

He still had to collect the mana cores, though. He was still short more than 20,000 mana cores to summon another Archdemon Lord.

As for the calming wave, aside from its duration getting extended, it could now also affect the rare-elite-grade monsters. Previously the highest grade affected was special elites.

The amulet also received an additional passive ability. Jack decided to test this ability to have a better understanding. He flew out from his balcony onto the side of Mount Thenias which was uninhabited. He started using his skills there.

His primary summons, the golden wolves and spirit weapon now last longer. Therras didnʼt have a duration so this ability did not affect it. Aside from those, Iron Mammoth Stampede, Mirage Beast, and Myriad Venomous Vipers were also affected. Phantom Blade and Dances of the Braves which summoned additional weapons werenʼt affected. They were not considered proper summons.

After having a better understanding of his new legendary amulet, Jack returned to his chamber to rest.

*

The next morning, he attended the monthly noble gathering. Grace joined him for this gathering. She returned from Palgrost last night.

The others were mostly still in Palgrost. The Liguritudum army was retreating but they were still on Palgrostʼs soil so the country was still considered at war. The teleportation between countries was still close. If they all teleported back and the Liguritudum army changed their minds and resumed their invasion, it would take some time before they could get back to the battlefield.

Jack told Grace about his intention. In the gathering, Grace took care of most of the nobles who came to talk to Jack. Jack then slipped away and approached Andrea.

But before he could do that, he was approached by Thaergood who brought a couple. The couple were both players. their levels were very low. Jack was confused at first as to why unknown low-level players were allowed access to this gathering. He then saw a small baby held by the two.

”Is that…,” Jack had his guess but he still used his Inspect.

*

Lloyd (level: 1)

HP: 100/100

*

”This is the first outworlder baby to be born,” Thaergood informed. He quickly added, ”In this kingdom at least. I donʼt know about the other countries.”

”He doesnʼt have a class,” Jack stated.

”Of course, he doesnʼt. He is a baby,” Peniel uttered. ”Do you expect him to make a choice when he canʼt even think properly yet? He will only be offered a class when he comes of age.”

”When is that?” Jack asked.

”When he is fifteen years old,” Peniel answered.

”So cute! May I…?” Grace came over after seeing the baby.

”It is an honor, my lady,” The father said. The mother seemed reluctant to let go of her baby at first but after the urging from her husbandʼs eyes, she relented.

Grace cradled the baby in her arms. ”He is very cute, isnʼt he?”

”Yes, he is,” Jack replied.

”Makes you want to have one as well, donʼt you?” Grace said again.

”Hm… Never thought about that. Raising a baby is a hass–Ouch! What is that for?!” Jack complained to Peniel who slapped his head just now.

Peniel rolled her eyes. This brute was truly hopeless.

”I think this calls for a celebration,” Thaergood said. ”I bring them here to request permission to hold a festival in the business district.”

”Thatʼs fine, go ahead. Use the kingdom fund to hold the festival as you see fit,” Jack said to Thaergood. He then took out 300 gold coins and gave them to the couple. ”This is for you. I hope he grows into a strong man. If you need anything, just come here. As the first outworlder born in this world, your boy is going to be famous!”

”Thank you, Your Majesty,” The couple said. 300 gold coins were a lot for them. They werenʼt adventurers who hunted monsters in the wilderness. They worked normal jobs inside Thereath, hence their low levels.

After chatting with the couple for a little while, Thaergood called one of the officers to bring the couple and organize the festival in the business district. Jack and Grace said goodbye to them. Grace went back to entertain the nobles while Jack went to meet Andrea.

Andrea was sitting in a corner. She was not a sociable type. She only came out of respect because the kingdom had supported their faction. She was currently chatting with four people in the corner. These people were so absorbed in their discussion that they werenʼt distracted by the news about the first outworlder baby.

As Jack approached, Jack found two out of the four were people he was familiar with. One of whom was Haestus, the grandmaster blacksmith in charge of the Blacksmith Circle stationed on the other side of Mount Thenias.

Aside from Healers Society, Blacksmith Circle was another league faction that had grown in relationship with the kingdom after Jack became the king. The kingdom commissioned a lot of orders to this faction to keep the soldierʼs equipment in tip-top shape.

The other person was Gruff, which puzzled Jack. Despite the League of Champions also being tight with the kingdom since its sovereign was one of its members, Gruff never attended this gathering. Jack was wondering why this old warrior was present today.

The other two people were Willem from the Trade Association and Ducasse from the House of Culinary. These two factions were also on good terms with the kingdom. Another faction that was usually present in this gathering was the Order of Magi. Young Janus normally roamed this hall while socializing with the nobles. Jack didnʼt see him this time.

”Your Majesty,” Andrea and the others stood and greeted when they saw Jack approaching.

”Thank you for coming here,” Jack greeted back. ”Iʼm going to cut to the chase. I have a matter to discuss with you.”

”Me?” Andrea asked.

”Yes. I would like your factionʼs blessing to build the Revival Pool,” Jack said. The revival pool was the name of the wonder building that could protect the lives of some selected natives. He had heard this name from Peniel yesterday.

”Your Majesty is quite knowledgeable. Unfortunately, only our leader can bestow that blessing,” Andrea replied.

”I believe your leaderʼs name is Panacea? Can you arrange for me to meet her?” Jack asked.

”If it is any other time, I would love to… But currently, there is an issue that is keeping my leader from exposing herself to the public.”

”What issue?” Jack asked.

”It is something that I talked about with sister Andrea just now,” Haestus said.

”As do I,” Gruff added. Willem and Ducasse echoed his words.

Jack was intrigued. What issue could cause these prominent people from different league factions to gather and talk about?

”This place is where I can meet other league factionsʼ higher-ups without having to arrange a formal meeting,” Gruff said. ”I want to confirm some rumors that have been circling our community.”

”What rumors?” Jack asked.

”After our talk just now, Iʼm afraid it is no longer a rumor,” Haestus said.

”What is it?” Jack was getting irritated by the suspense.

”Someone has been targeting the leaders of various league factions,” Andrea said.

”Targeting? But these leaders are usually high-level and high-grade individuals themselves, arenʼt they? They are not easy targets. Can these just be baseless rumors?” Jack asked.

”It is not a rumor,” Willem from the Trade Association said. ”Our leader had been assassinated last week.”

”So was ours,” Ducasse chimed in. ”Ours happened just two days ago.”